The power too is impressive, but the RJ's especially the 145, eat it alive performance wise! We used to overtake the dash's at about 100 knots. It looked like they were coming the other way!
But the 145 has a high CASM.....the 135 is even worse. Sure you will go faster, but you will barely make a buck at 90$per/B.
That's where the Q400 is needed.
Most of the skippers here I have spoken to, have not run into many problems. But keep in mind, they are flying the later versions.